Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Diet supplement helps keep skin allergy remission in cats
By Noli, Chiara et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2019·Servizi Dermatologici Veterinari, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Effect of dietary supplementation with ultramicronized palmitoylethanolamide in maintaining remission in cats with nonflea hypersensitivity dermatitis: a double-blind, multicentre, randomized, placebo-controlled study.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of cats with nonflea hypersensitivity dermatitis (NFHD), which causes itching and skin lesions, were treated with a supplement called ultramicronized palmitoylethanolamide (PEA-um) after initially responding to a steroid medication. The cats receiving PEA-um had a longer time before their symptoms returned compared to those on a placebo, with an average of 40.5 days before relapse versus 22.2 days for the placebo group. Additionally, the cats on PEA-um showed less itching and better overall assessments from their owners. This suggests that PEA-um could be a helpful option for managing NFHD in cats.
People also search for: cat itching treatment · nonflea hypersensitivity dermatitis in cats · PEA-um for cat skin problems
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Feline nonflea hypersensitivity dermatitis (NFHD) is a frequent cause of over-grooming, scratching and skin lesions. Multimodal therapy often is necessary. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To investigate the efficacy of ultramicronized palmitoylethanolamide (PEA-um) in maintaining methylprednisolone-induced remission in NFHD cats. ANIMALS: Fifty-seven NFHD cats with nonseasonal pruritus were enrolled originally, of which 25 completed all study requirements to be eligible for analysis. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Cats were randomly assigned to PEA-um (15 mg/kg per os, once daily; n = 29) or placebo (n = 28) while receiving a 28 day tapering methylprednisolone course. Cats responding favourably to methylprednisolone were then administered only PEA-um (n = 21) or placebo (n = 23) for another eight weeks, followed by a four week long treatment-free period. Cats were maintained in the study until relapse or study end, whichever came first. Primary outcome was time to relapse. Secondary outcomes were pruritus Visual Analog Scale (pVAS), SCORing Feline Allergic Dermatitis scale (SCORFAD) and owner Global Assessment Score (GAS). RESULTS: Mean relapse time was 40.5 days (±7.8 SE) in PEA-um treated cats (n = 13) and 22.2 days (±3.7 SE) for placebo (n = 12; P = 0.04). On Day 28, the severity of pruritus was lower in the PEA-um treated cats compared to placebo (P = 0.03). Mean worsening of pruritus at the final study day was lower in the PEA-um group compared to placebo (P = 0.04), whereas SCORFAD was not different between groups. Mean owner GAS at the final study day was better in the PEA-um than the placebo-treated group (P = 0.05). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Ultramicronized palmitoylethanolamide could represent an effective and safe option to delay relapse in NFHD cats.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31237065/